Apparatus for repairing or protecting an engine exhaust system

Abstract

Apparatus for and a method of repairing or protecting an exhaust box or pipe of a motor vehicle are described. The apparatus comprises a flexible sheet having an outer stainless steel layer and an inner sealing layer. The flexible sheet is wrapped around the area of the exhaust box (or pipe) to be reinforced or repaired and secured in place with a Jubilee clip fastening arrangement attached to receiving members provided on the outer layer so that a seal is provided between the inner layer and the area to be protected or repaired.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus suitable for repairing or protecting an exhaust box or pipe in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a flexible sheet formed of a heat resistant material and fastening means for securing the flexible sheet in place when the sheet is wrapped round the exhaust box or pipe so that a seal is provided between the sheet and the exhaust box or pipe, the fastening means comprising first and second fastening members, the first fastening member comprising a fastening strip formed along its length with a plurality of substantially parallel recesses or slots and the second fastening member comprising a body receiving the fastening strip, the body having a rotatable screw-threaded portion which engages the slots when the fastening strip is received in the body so that, when the screw-threaded portion is rotated, the connection between the first and second fastening members is adjusted. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet is laminate of two or more layers, at least the layer which in use of the apparatus contacts the exhaust box or pipe being formed of a sealing material so as to provide the seal between the sheet and the exhaust box or pipe when the sheet is secured in place. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus for repairing or protecting an exhaust box or pipe in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, comprising a flexible sheet formed of a heat resistant material and fastening means for securing the flexible sheet in place when the sheet is wrapped around the exhaust box or pipe so that a seal is provided between the sheet and the exhaust box or pipe, a portion of the flexible sheet extending along one edge thereof being formed with a plurality of slots, each slot extending transversely of said edge to form a plurality of tabs arranged along the edge, which tabs conform to changes of curvature when the flexible sheet is secured in place when the apparatus is used on the pipe or box. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus suitable for repairing or protecting an exhaust box or pipe in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, which apparatus comprises: a flexible sheet having first and second ends, the flexible sheet being formed of a heat resistant material; and fastening means for securing the flexible sheet in place when the sheet is wrapped around the exhaust box or pipe so that a seal is provided between the sheet and the exhaust box or pipe, the fastening means comprising first and second fastening members, the first fastening member comprising a fastening strip having a shaped first end and a second end and being formed along its length with a plurality of substantially parallel recesses or slots, and the second fastening member comprising a body for receiving the fastening strip, the body carrying a connecting member having a shaped end and the body having a rotatable screw-threaded portion which engages the slots when the fastening strip is received in the body so that, when the screw-threaded portion is rotated, the connection between the first and second fastening members is adjusted, a first receiving member being secured to the flexible sheet adjacent the first end thereof for releasably receiving said first shaped end of the fastening strip and a second receiving member secured to the flexible sheet adjacent the second end thereof for releasably receiving the shaped end of the connecting member. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus suitable for repairing or protecting an exhaust box or pipe in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a flexible heat-resistant sheet having first and second ends, the sheet being in the form of a laminate having an outer and an inner layer, the outer layer being formed of metal and the inner layer which in use of the apparatus contacts the exhaust box or pipe being formed of a gasket material; and   fastening means for securing the flexible sheet in place when the sheet is wrapped around the exhaust box or pipe so that a seal is provided between the sheet and the exhaust box or pipe, the fastening means comprising:   first and second fastening members, the first fastening member comprising an elongate fastening strip having a first end and a second end and being formed along its length with a plurality of substantially parallel recesses or slots, and the second fastening member comprising a body for receiving the fastening strip, the body having a rotatable screw-threaded portion which engages the slots when the fastening strip is received in the body and the body carrying an elongate connection member having a free end extending from the body, the free end of the elongate connection member and the first end of the fastening strip each being shaped so as to have a narrow neck portion defining a relatively large end portion;   a first receiving member in the form of a metal plate secured to the outer layer of the flexible sheet adjacent one end thereof, the first metal plate having a cut-out portion extending away from the first edge of the flexible sheet, the cut-out portion having first and second opposed edge portions which are raised to define a recess for receiving the end portion of the fastening strip; and   a second receiving member in the form of metal plate secured to the outer layer of the flexible sheet adjacent the other end thereof, the second metal plate having a cut-out portion extending away from the second edge of the flexible sheet, the cut-out portion having first and second opposed edge portions which are raised to define a recess for receiving the end portion of the connection member.   
     
     
       6. Apparatus suitable for repairing or protecting an exhaust box or pipe in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a flexible heat-resistant sheet having first and second ends, the flexible sheet being in the form of a laminate having an outer and an inner layer, the outer layer being formed of metal and the inner layer which in use of the apparatus contacts the exhaust box or pipe being formed of a gasket material, the outer layer having first and second side edge portions extending between the said first and second ends and beyond the gasket material, each said side edge portion being formed with a plurality of slots extending substantially parallel to the first and second ends of the flexible sheet to form a plurality of tabs arranged along the side edge portions, which tabs conform to changes of curvature when the flexible sheet is secured in place in use of the apparatus of the pipe or box; and   fastening means for securing the flexible sheet in place when the sheet is wrapped around the exhaust box or pipe so that a seal is provided between the sheet and the exhaust box or pipe, the fastening means comprising:   first and second fastening members, the first fastening member comprising an elongate fastening strip having a first end and a second end and being formed along its length with a plurality of substantially parallel recesses or slots and the second fastening member comprising a body for receiving the fastening strip, the body having a rotatable screw-threaded portion which engages the slot when the fastening strip is received in the body and the body carrying an elongate connection member having a free end extending from the body, the free end of the elongate connection member and the first end of the fastening strip each being shaped so as to have a narrow neck portion defining a relatively large end portion;   a first receiving member in the form of a metal plate secured to the outer layer of the flexible sheet adjacent one end thereof, the first metal plate having a cut-out plate extending away from the first edge of the flexible sheet, the cut-out portion having first and second opposed edge portions which are raised to define a recess for receiving the end portion of the fastening strip; and   a second receiving member in the form of metal plate secured to the outer layer of the flexible sheet adjacent the other end thereof, the second metal plate having a cut-out portion extending away from the second edge of the flexible sheet, the cut-out portion having first and second opposed edge portions which are raised to define a recess for receiving the end portion of the connection member.